Mary Ludemann, of New Old Builders, relied heavily on one simple yet critical principle when designing her very own new home in Rock Hill: “I feel really strongly that you should design for your lifestyle, rather than adjust your lifestyle around your design.” This mantra informed each one of the 5,200 square feet that comprise the Ludemann’s eclectic residence, which she designed for and shares with her family.
Each room in the house has its own personality, often inspired by the person who uses it most. For example, Mary crafted the home office space for her husband, Troy, an avid outdoorsman, and the resulting design is masculine, warm, and evokes a modern mountain lodge through mounted antlers, brass hardware embossed with bear prints, duck statues, and a brown color palate. A framed photo of a bear who Troy encountered during a fishing expedition in the Grand Tetons further personalizes the decor.
Originally, Mary and Troy dreamed of exposed beams along the ceiling of this space, but topography challenges threw a metaphorical wrench in the plan and forced the Ludemann team to invent a workaround.
“The ceiling is actually the real exposed floor joists and tongue and groove sub-flooring of the room upstairs,” explains Mary. By rerouting the electrical, mechanical, and plumbing rough-ins, the Ludemanns were able not only to gain an extra foot of room height, but also to simulate exposed beams by using western red cedar finish materials to frame the ceiling.
Other rustic elements, like reclaimed oak and shiplap walls, pepper the home.
We have two large dogs and two busy kids,” explains Mary. “I need walls and cabinets and flooring that can hold up to heavy use!
The couple integrated a number of reclaimed materials into their decor and design, trusting that their intentionally weathered appearance would help hide any accidental wear-and-tear that naturally arises from a family-oriented lifestyle.
The kitchen is yet another space where design meets lifestyle.
“Our family spends most of our time together in our kitchen, so it was important to me to have a space that encouraged our kids to sit and talk a little longer.”
Living and cooking realms meld in the Ludemanns’ kitchen, where armchairs and a cozy fireplace nook abutt countertops and kitchen appliances, as do old and new, sophisticated and familiar. “Interweaving clean lines and texture like the marble countertops and oversized windows was critical in balancing the more rustic elements to keep the space current,” says Mary.
The Ludemanns, whose professional schedules rarely allow for long vacations, needed their residence to also feel like a retreat, which led to the creation of their idyllic back yard, where a swimming pool sparkles between a spacious carriage house garage and picture-perfect woodlands. An outdoor entertaining space, replete with fireplace and Oakville Stone detailing, bridges indoor and outdoor spaces and equips the Ludemanns both for stylish fair-weather entertaining and family time.
“As much as we might like to, we don’t live in a museum, and at this stage of our lives, it’s best to create with elements that are timeless both in design and purpose,” says Mary, and so she has, crafting a space at once perfectly suited to her family’s needs and aesthetically stunning.
Vendors:
LEVEL 5 FINISH GROUP – DRYWALL, TRIM, PAINT
SOUTHERN STAIRS – STAIRWELL
MTB MECHANICAL – HVAC
AV SPECIALTIES – SPECIALTY WIRING
ANTHONY SYLVAN POOLS
ALLEN’S QUALITY PLUMBING
CEDAR CREEK LANDSCAPING
PROFESSIONAL BUILDERS SUPPLY – ROOFING & FRAMING
AUSTIN INSULATION – SPRAY FOAM
SITE ONE – STONE
BORAL BRICK – BRICK
FERGUSONS – APPLIANCES & LIGHTING
CADENZA STONE & MARBLE – COUNTERTOPS
PINNACLE ROOFING & EXTERIORS – ROOF
MORA CONSTRUCTION – MASONRY & BRICK
ACE FLOORING – TILE
ACE HARDWOOD FLOORS – HARDWOODS
